ATI PN
PHARMACOLOGY
PROCTORED EXAM
(NGN-STYLE QUESTIONS & CASE “SCENARIO”)
Actual Qs & Ans to Pass the Exam
This ATI test contains:
➢ Passing Score Guarantee
➢ Exam has 70 PHARMACOLOGY nursing questions
➢ multiple-choice format (A, B, C, D) with correct
answers
➢ structured rationales.
➢ incorporate Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)-style.
➢ Some questions feature brief “scenario” elements and rationales.
,### 1.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has peptic ulcer disease
and is to start a new prescription for sucralfate. Which of the
following actions of sucralfate should the nurse include in the
teaching?
- A. Neutralizes gastric acid
- B. Inhibits proton pumps
- C. Forms a protective barrier over ulcers
- D. Decreases gastric acid secretion
Answer: C. Forms a protective barrier over ulcers
Expert Rationale:
Sucralfate acts locally by forming a viscous, protective barrier that adheres
to ulcer sites in the stomach, protecting the tissue from acid and pepsin. It
does not neutralize acid or inhibit acid secretion. This barrier promotes
healing of ulcers in peptic ulcer disease.
---
### 2.
A nurse is providing teaching for a client who has multiple sclerosis
and a new prescription for methylprednisolone. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include? (Select all that apply):
- A. Blood glucose levels will be monitored during therapy.
- B. Avoid contact with people who have known infections.
- C. Grapefruit juice can increase the effects of this medication.
,- D. Discontinue medication abruptly if symptoms improve.
- E. Report any signs of mood changes or depression.
Answers: A, B, C
Expert Rationale:
- A: Corticosteroids like methylprednisolone can increase blood glucose.
Monitoring is essential, especially in clients with diabetes.
- B: Immunosuppression increases infection risk; avoid exposure.
- C: Grapefruit juice can interfere with cytochrome P450 enzymes,
increasing corticosteroid effects.
- D: Abrupt discontinuation risks adrenal insufficiency and should be
tapered.
- E: Mood changes can occur but are not a common priority teaching point
initially.
---
### 3.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching about handling medication to
a client who is to continue taking oral transmucosal fentanyl
raspberry flavored lozenges on a stick. Which of the following
information should the nurse include in the teaching?
- A. Use the medication as needed for mild pain.
- B. Store unused medication sticks in a storage container.
- C. Chew the lozenge thoroughly before swallowing.
,- D. Avoid eating or drinking for 1 hour after use.
Answer: B. Store unused medication sticks in a storage container.
Expert Rationale:
Oral transmucosal fentanyl is a potent opioid analgesic for breakthrough
cancer pain. Proper storage in the original, child-resistant container is
essential to prevent accidental ingestion, especially by children. Client
should allow lozenge to dissolve in the mouth, not chew or swallow
completely.
---
### 4.
A nurse is reviewing the ECG of a client who is receiving IV
furosemide for heart failure. The nurse should identify which of the
following as an indication of hypokalemia?
- A. Tall peaked T waves
- B. Presence of U-waves
- C. Prolonged PR interval
- D. ST-segment elevation
Answer: B. Presence of U-waves
Expert Rationale:
,Hypokalemia caused by loop diuretics like furosemide is indicated on ECG
by the presence of U-waves, flattened T waves, and ST depression. These
changes increase the risk of arrhythmias.
---
### 5.
The nurse is caring for a client who has cancer and is taking oral
morphine and docusate sodium. The nurse should instruct the client
that taking docusate sodium daily can minimize which of the
following adverse effects of morphine?
- A. Nausea
- B. Constipation
- C. Respiratory depression
- D. Sedation
Answer: B. Constipation
Expert Rationale:
Opioids like morphine slow GI motility, leading to constipation. Docusate
sodium is a stool softener that prevents opioid-induced constipation and
promotes bowel movements.
---
### 6.
,A nurse is planning care for a client who is receiving mannitol via IV
continuous infusion. The nurse should monitor the client for which of
the following adverse effects?
- A. Bibasilar crackles
- B. Peripheral neuropathy
- C. Bradycardia
- D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: A. Bibasilar crackles
Expert Rationale:
Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that can cause fluid overload and pulmonary
edema if excessive fluid is retained. Bibasilar crackles indicate fluid in the
lungs, requiring prompt intervention.
---
### 7.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has gastric ulcer and a
new prescription for ranitidine. Which of the following instructions
should the nurse include?
- A. "Take the medication with meals."
- B. "Avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
- C. "Report yellowing of the skin."
- D. "Stop the medication once symptoms improve."
,Answer: C. "Report yellowing of the skin."
Expert Rationale:
Ranitidine can cause hepatotoxicity, which presents as jaundice (yellowing
of skin and sclera). Clients must report this immediately. While ranitidine is
often discontinued (withdrawn from market), this teaching point aligns with
ATI material.
---
### 8.
A nurse is assessing a client after administering a second dose of
cefazolin IV. The nurse notes the client has anxiety, hypotension, and
dyspnea. Which of the following medications should the nurse
administer first?
- A. Diphenhydramine
- B. Epinephrine
- C. Albuterol
- D. Hydrocortisone
Answer: B. Epinephrine
Expert Rationale:
The client is showing signs of anaphylaxis (hypotension, dyspnea, anxiety).
Epinephrine is the first-line treatment to rapidly reverse symptoms. Other
medications can be adjunctive.
, ---
### 9.
A nurse is planning care for a client who has hypertension and is to
start taking metoprolol. Which of the following interventions should
the nurse include in the plan of care?
- A. Monitor daily weight
- B. Determine apical pulse prior to administering
- C. Assess for hyperkalemia
- D. Encourage increased salt intake
Answer: B. Determine apical pulse prior to administering
Expert Rationale:
Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that can cause bradycardia. Checking the
apical pulse before administration ensures it is safe to give the drug
(usually withhold if HR < 60 bpm).
---
### 10.
A nurse is preparing to administer ciprofloxacin 15 mg/kg PO every 12
hr to a child who weighs 44 lb. How many mg should the nurse
administer per dose?
- A. 150 mg
- B. 300 mg
PHARMACOLOGY
PROCTORED EXAM
(NGN-STYLE QUESTIONS & CASE “SCENARIO”)
Actual Qs & Ans to Pass the Exam
This ATI test contains:
➢ Passing Score Guarantee
➢ Exam has 70 PHARMACOLOGY nursing questions
➢ multiple-choice format (A, B, C, D) with correct
answers
➢ structured rationales.
➢ incorporate Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)-style.
➢ Some questions feature brief “scenario” elements and rationales.
,### 1.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has peptic ulcer disease
and is to start a new prescription for sucralfate. Which of the
following actions of sucralfate should the nurse include in the
teaching?
- A. Neutralizes gastric acid
- B. Inhibits proton pumps
- C. Forms a protective barrier over ulcers
- D. Decreases gastric acid secretion
Answer: C. Forms a protective barrier over ulcers
Expert Rationale:
Sucralfate acts locally by forming a viscous, protective barrier that adheres
to ulcer sites in the stomach, protecting the tissue from acid and pepsin. It
does not neutralize acid or inhibit acid secretion. This barrier promotes
healing of ulcers in peptic ulcer disease.
---
### 2.
A nurse is providing teaching for a client who has multiple sclerosis
and a new prescription for methylprednisolone. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include? (Select all that apply):
- A. Blood glucose levels will be monitored during therapy.
- B. Avoid contact with people who have known infections.
- C. Grapefruit juice can increase the effects of this medication.
,- D. Discontinue medication abruptly if symptoms improve.
- E. Report any signs of mood changes or depression.
Answers: A, B, C
Expert Rationale:
- A: Corticosteroids like methylprednisolone can increase blood glucose.
Monitoring is essential, especially in clients with diabetes.
- B: Immunosuppression increases infection risk; avoid exposure.
- C: Grapefruit juice can interfere with cytochrome P450 enzymes,
increasing corticosteroid effects.
- D: Abrupt discontinuation risks adrenal insufficiency and should be
tapered.
- E: Mood changes can occur but are not a common priority teaching point
initially.
---
### 3.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching about handling medication to
a client who is to continue taking oral transmucosal fentanyl
raspberry flavored lozenges on a stick. Which of the following
information should the nurse include in the teaching?
- A. Use the medication as needed for mild pain.
- B. Store unused medication sticks in a storage container.
- C. Chew the lozenge thoroughly before swallowing.
,- D. Avoid eating or drinking for 1 hour after use.
Answer: B. Store unused medication sticks in a storage container.
Expert Rationale:
Oral transmucosal fentanyl is a potent opioid analgesic for breakthrough
cancer pain. Proper storage in the original, child-resistant container is
essential to prevent accidental ingestion, especially by children. Client
should allow lozenge to dissolve in the mouth, not chew or swallow
completely.
---
### 4.
A nurse is reviewing the ECG of a client who is receiving IV
furosemide for heart failure. The nurse should identify which of the
following as an indication of hypokalemia?
- A. Tall peaked T waves
- B. Presence of U-waves
- C. Prolonged PR interval
- D. ST-segment elevation
Answer: B. Presence of U-waves
Expert Rationale:
,Hypokalemia caused by loop diuretics like furosemide is indicated on ECG
by the presence of U-waves, flattened T waves, and ST depression. These
changes increase the risk of arrhythmias.
---
### 5.
The nurse is caring for a client who has cancer and is taking oral
morphine and docusate sodium. The nurse should instruct the client
that taking docusate sodium daily can minimize which of the
following adverse effects of morphine?
- A. Nausea
- B. Constipation
- C. Respiratory depression
- D. Sedation
Answer: B. Constipation
Expert Rationale:
Opioids like morphine slow GI motility, leading to constipation. Docusate
sodium is a stool softener that prevents opioid-induced constipation and
promotes bowel movements.
---
### 6.
,A nurse is planning care for a client who is receiving mannitol via IV
continuous infusion. The nurse should monitor the client for which of
the following adverse effects?
- A. Bibasilar crackles
- B. Peripheral neuropathy
- C. Bradycardia
- D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: A. Bibasilar crackles
Expert Rationale:
Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that can cause fluid overload and pulmonary
edema if excessive fluid is retained. Bibasilar crackles indicate fluid in the
lungs, requiring prompt intervention.
---
### 7.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has gastric ulcer and a
new prescription for ranitidine. Which of the following instructions
should the nurse include?
- A. "Take the medication with meals."
- B. "Avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
- C. "Report yellowing of the skin."
- D. "Stop the medication once symptoms improve."
,Answer: C. "Report yellowing of the skin."
Expert Rationale:
Ranitidine can cause hepatotoxicity, which presents as jaundice (yellowing
of skin and sclera). Clients must report this immediately. While ranitidine is
often discontinued (withdrawn from market), this teaching point aligns with
ATI material.
---
### 8.
A nurse is assessing a client after administering a second dose of
cefazolin IV. The nurse notes the client has anxiety, hypotension, and
dyspnea. Which of the following medications should the nurse
administer first?
- A. Diphenhydramine
- B. Epinephrine
- C. Albuterol
- D. Hydrocortisone
Answer: B. Epinephrine
Expert Rationale:
The client is showing signs of anaphylaxis (hypotension, dyspnea, anxiety).
Epinephrine is the first-line treatment to rapidly reverse symptoms. Other
medications can be adjunctive.
, ---
### 9.
A nurse is planning care for a client who has hypertension and is to
start taking metoprolol. Which of the following interventions should
the nurse include in the plan of care?
- A. Monitor daily weight
- B. Determine apical pulse prior to administering
- C. Assess for hyperkalemia
- D. Encourage increased salt intake
Answer: B. Determine apical pulse prior to administering
Expert Rationale:
Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that can cause bradycardia. Checking the
apical pulse before administration ensures it is safe to give the drug
(usually withhold if HR < 60 bpm).
---
### 10.
A nurse is preparing to administer ciprofloxacin 15 mg/kg PO every 12
hr to a child who weighs 44 lb. How many mg should the nurse
administer per dose?
- A. 150 mg
- B. 300 mg
